A normal spine will have a gentle ‘S’ shape when seen from the side. Naturally, the neck will arch forwards slightly and the lower back (lumbar part of the spine) does the same, also known as lordosis. The thoracic part of the spine (between the shoulder blades) has a slight outward curve, and this is known as kyphosis. A normal back has a 20° to 45° curvature in the upper part of the back, yet anything above 45° is called kyphosis. Kyphosis can cause pain if excessive or if in the wrong place such as the lower back.
Kyphosis refers to excessive curvature of the spine usually present between the shoulder blades, where it curves further backwards than it should. This can cause a person to become more round-shouldered, unable to stand up straight and can cause pain. Kyphosis is broadly characterised as either postural; i.e. caused by poor posture, or structural; caused by a bone, disc, nerve, ligament or muscle abnormality.
For adults, it can be caused by the degeneration of discs and joints of the spine, or as a result of secondary conditions like osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease. In children, it can be a result of spina bifida. Diagnosis is based on a physical exam.
In young children and adolescents with kyphosis, the most common form is Scheurmann's disorder, sometimes called Scheurmann's disease, characterised when growth spurts occur and the rectangular-shaped vertebrae become compressed and wedged into triangles. With Scheuermann’s, the thoracic curve will typically be between 45° and 75°.
Scheuermann’s is a hyper kyphosis, a more serious deformity than postural kyphosis as the bones have already wedged and deformed. Symptoms can develop between the ages of 10 and 15. Patients with the condition may have a visual ‘hunchback’ and can experience lower or mid-level back pain or neck pain.
Bracing can provide pain relief for those suffering from kyphosis by adjusting the position of the shoulders and pelvis. In the growing patient, we can prevent worsening of the deformity and quickly improve appearance. A bespoke physiotherapy treatment programme, based upon pattern-curve specific Schroth principles, can be used to treat postural Kyphosis, Osteoporosis and Scheuermann’s disease. The programme will aim to improve muscle lengths and spinal extensor strength while reducing postural pain.
Read more about:
“It’s life-changing, my swimming coach has even remarked what a difference my treatment has made" Read how pectus bracing treatment helped to correct Aris' complex chest deformity, involving a combination of pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum and rib flaring.
Cerebral palsy patient Lucas sees significant improvement in his walking after only six months in his new custom Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs), designed by Professor Saeed Forghany in our Manchester clinic. Hear how a detailed gait analysis and bespoke AFOs significantly improved Lucas's gait and comfort.
Freddie’s positional plagiocephaly was treated successfully with the LOCBand Lite, going from 11mm to 2mm after four months in his helmet.
Adult club foot (talipes) patient Natasha says, "I cannot stress how amazing my AFOs are and how they have changed so much for me. The support they give me allows me to walk without crutches outside the house for the first time in over fifteen years."
Diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at 14 years old, Polly and mum Zoe looked to the LOC Scoliosis Brace to help her curve and avoid surgery at a later date.
LOC opens its first clinic in Northern Ireland, LOC Belfast, offer non-surgical orthotic treatment for scoliosis, pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum. Here, we will also be able to provide orthotic treatments for a range of adult and paediatric lower limb conditions including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hypermobility, stroke, post-polio syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.
Mum Natalie shares her experience of having both her identical twins diagnosed with craniosynostosis. Ella and Nina had surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital before going through cranial remoulding therapy at the London Orthotic Consultancy.
See how a thorough gait analysis and a correctly-fitted, bespoke Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (RGO) helped Ted, a spinal surgery and cancer survivor, improve his rehabilitation and mobility goals, getting him back on his feet again.
